ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE
When it comes to classic farce it’s not so much Noises Off as Trousers Off! This interpretation of Michael Frayn’s 1970 “farce about a farce” is a classic.
Add to that the artistic direction by the New Wolsey’s own Peter Rowe, throw in a talented cast and this production could not fail to have audiences quite literally splitting their sides with laughter.
Act One sees a typical farce being rehearsed by a touring company, it’s during these rehearsals we meet the assortment of characters that you will meet in many theatrical companies. The fact that on the night that I saw the performance I was sitting near a member of such a company, who pointed out similarities with various traits and you realise that life is sometimes larger than fiction.
Act Two sees a the set revolve so that we can see the various escapades backstage. A love-triangle among the cast, suspicions and slowly unfolding retribution, while all the time various members disappear off onto front of stage where we can hear them perform and then to return to the mayhem backstage.
Act Three and the stage revolves once more so that this time the mayhem and utter farce unleashes itself on stage for all to see!
The timing of all the cast is impeccable and in this production cast and director have managed to bring back the British Farce to those of us old enough to remember the great days of Brian Rix and Co. and to introduce a very typical British tradition to younger members of the audience.
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